RUTHERFORD, NJ – Felician University hosted its 6th annual Ruck March in honor of the brave men and women who have dedicated their lives to service in the United States Military and to observe the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Approximately 120 attendees, including students, faculty, and staff, began the walk at the Lodi Campus in the morning, rucking 3.50 miles through the streets of Lodi, Wallington, East Rutherford, and Rutherford.

Following the Ruck March, participants gathered in Ray’s Place for a veterans ceremony to honor Dr. Carleen Graham, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies, Assistant Professor in the School of Nursing and US Army Veteran; Anthony Steiner, the first male graduate of Felician University’s Nursing program, a US Army Veteran, and two-time Purple Heart recipient; and the late Capt. Maria Ines Ortiz, a US Army nurse who was killed during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2007 and the first US Army nurse to die in combat since the Vietnam War. Jason Fermin, a Felician University alumnus, former U.S. Marine and Army veteran, and member of the Board of Trustees, and Esther Chucaralao, Deputy Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Veterans Affairs, helped lead portions of the ceremony and honor each honoree, recognizing their courage, sacrifice, and enduring commitment to service, both on the battlefield and in the nursing profession.

USA Today, in partnership with Acumen Media, recognized Felician University for its outstanding contributions to American education in its America 250 docuseries. See how Felician honors its history, showcases its present impact, and prepares today’s students with the skills to become the leaders of tomorrow. WATCH VIDEO >

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About Felician University

Felician University is committed to supporting academic success at any stage of life. With over 3,000 undergraduate, graduate, and adult education students enrolled across the schools of Arts & Sciences, Business & Information Sciences, Nursing, and Education, Felician provides diverse learning experiences that equip all students with the skills to meet the demands of today’s society. Felician University was recognized in Newsweek’s America’s Best Colleges for Women 2026, earning distinction as the No. 1 college for women in New Jersey. Additionally, Felician has been named a best value school by payscale.com and Money magazine, and as one of the best college locations in NJ (#4) by niche.com. Our Master of Science in Nursing program is ranked one of the best online graduate nursing programs in the nation by U.S. News and the Princeton Review. We are proud to be designated as a Military Friendly School (Gold Status) for the fifteenth year, a testament to our dedicated support of Veteran students. Our diversity as an HSI (Hispanic Serving Institution) and MSI (Minority Serving Institution), with underrepresented students comprising more than half of the student population, reflects our inclusive and supportive environment and earned us a spot on Washington Monthly’s Top 100 HSI list. With campuses in Rutherford and Lodi, New Jersey, our Franciscan values of respect for human dignity, compassion, transformation, solidarity with people in need, justice and peace are woven into the very foundation and development of tomorrow’s leaders. Felician University is sponsored by Felician Sisters International. For more information, please visit https://felician.edu/